Nothing speaks true to summer like chilling by the pool, hanging out with friends, and bumping that one special playlist precisely curated since spring.
Everywhere, musical artists release new beats in the name of summer. With the new musical roster, listeners declare songs worthy or unworthy of having a place in their prized summer soundtrack.
With autumn right around the corner, The Talon staff declared what anthems they held true to all season long.
Managing Editor Scar said “Von Dutch” by Charlie XCX was her go-to this summer. “Von Dutch” is part of British artist Charlie XCX’s album Brat, released in February 2024. “Very much a Brat summer. The album was vulnerable, but “Von Dutch” was upbeat and confident. It’s impossible to feel sad while listening to it.” said Scar.
“When I Looked Up” by Holy Gather was what Podcast Manager Bella said she enjoyed all summer long. “When I Look Up” came out as a single in Feb. earlier this year, with 22.5k listens on Spotify. Holy Gather is an artist who focuses on spreading the word of the Lord through her music. On why Bella enjoyed the song so much, she said, “The song is super upbeat and super awesome. It gives Steve Lacey vibes, which I really like.”
The Talon’s ICC Representative, Kayla, shared “Feels Like Summer” by Childish Gambino, aka actor Donald Glover, which she was bumping all summer. “Feels Like Summer” was released under the R&B genre in 2018 and currently has over 3 million listens. On why Kayla loved this song so much, she said, “He’s one of my favorite artists. It has a really good beat and just reminds you of those warm breezy summer days.”
“Espresso” by Grammy-nominated artist Sabrina Carpenter was what Talon Editor-in-Chief Mia deemed her summer song. “Espresso” was released as a single in Apr. of 2024 as part of Carpenter’s chart-topping pop album Short n’ Sweet. “When it came out, it had me in a chokehold. It’s a happy, upbeat, fun song that you can dance to or have it on in the background. It’s just a good bop.” Mia said on her appreciation for the song.
Second-year Social Media Manager Tierra said that “Far” by Grammy-nominated artist SZA was her favorite. “Far” is part of R&B artist’s SZA 2022, SOS. Studio album SOS was nominated for five Grammy Awards and released in December 2022. On why Tierra loved this album, she said, “I love R&B. That song is about vulnerability and being afraid to open up to others in fear of being rejected. It’s incredibly sung, and I feel like I’m floating when I listen to it.”
“Tumblr Girls” by G-Eazy and Christoph Andersson was what Talon member Cayley claimed made her summer feel like a movie. “Tumblr Girls” is a recurring popular hip-hop song released in 2014 under the album These Things Happen. “I really like the melody of the song. It feels really nostalgic.” At almost 4 million listens Cayley said, “It made my summer feel so much dreamier and enjoyable as if I were in a summer movie!”
Podcast and social media contributor Jess claimed “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone was what she listened to all sunny season long. “Beautiful Things” was released in 2024, the pop rock lead single for Boone’s debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades. It quickly spread all over social media, accumulating over 1.2 billion Spotify listeners. “This is a summer song. I feel like I bumped out to a lot. I really like how it feels so upbeat and cheerful.” Jess said when talking about this TikTok summer sensation.
“Routines in the Night” by Twenty One Pilots is what social media graphic designer Nevynn said she listened to all summer long. The alternative band recently had its comeback by releasing Clancy, their first album since Trench in 2018. “Fun fact: this song wasn’t even supposed to make the final cut!” Nevynn said “Routines in the Night” wasn’t meant to make the album, but Tyler Joseph, one of the 2 Twenty One Pilots members, took a chance on it. “This is my favorite because they stuck true to their original vibe, and the lyrics are very relatable.”
Podcaster and social media team member Alina said her favorite song this summer was “Yes and?” by world-renowned artist Ariana Grande. “yes and?” is part of Grande’s chart-topping album Eternal Sunshine, released in 2024. “yes and” was released as a single in Jan. 2024. Since its release, it’s been hitting half a billion listens. “It was an anthem to me to remind myself that I’m strong, confident, and overall unapologetically me! The song is great lyrically and super fun and upbeat. Not everything needs to be serious all the time!”
Talon member Fatima said she loved the whole album I Love You So F***ing Much by the Glass Animals. The alternative/ indie album I Love You So F***ing Much was released in July. of 2024, it was their fourth studio album. Since their album release, the Glass Animals have over 24 million Spotify listeners. The song Fatima enjoyed the most was “whatthehellishappening”. “When I first heard it, I was like ‘hell yeah’! It had a certain musical beat and rhythm that was great while also still continuing with the story of the album! It was awesome.”
“Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae is what Talon writer Myleigha (aka Mimi) said was her go-to song. Addison Rae is a TikTok celebrity who used her stardom to launch her music career. Her debut single was “Obsessed,” released in 2021. With over 3 million Spotify listeners, “Diet Pepsi” was a hit with over 11 million listens before a month of its release. “I’m such a big fan of hers. On top of that it’s so catchy and such a fun song to put on when going out with my friends.” Alina said about why she loved the song so dearly.
Digital media contributor Daniel said “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters was what he played all summer long. Everlong is part of The Colour and The Shape album, released in 1997. Being rock legends, “Everlong” has over 1 billion listeners on Spotify. “It’s one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s so catchy and gets me going.” Daniel also describes how the live performance of “Everlong” was everything he’d hoped for. At the show on Aug. 11, the Foo Fighters walked off to trick the crowd into thinking that the show had ended. Then, 10 minutes later, they returned, finishing the show with fireworks, energy, skill, and, of course, “Everlong.”
“We Can’t Be Friends (wait for your love)” by Ariana Grande is what writer Jenna held close to all summer. “We Can’t Be Friends” was the lead single to Grande’s latest album, Eternal Sunshine, released in 2024, which grew massively successful as it quickly became her most successful album, hitting number 1 in its first week. “I’m a big Ariana Grande fan. That song is just so peaceful. I also saw the music video, and I’m a huge Evan Peters fan.” Jenna said.
“She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty” by Pierce the Veil is what writer and photographer Noemi said she enjoyed all summer long. “She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty” is a single by Pierce the Veil that isn’t even available on Spotify. “I’m a fan of their album Misadventures, and I’ve been listening to that album all summer. It’s not that upbeat but the live performances of it were incredible,” said Noemi.
Talon advisor Eddie said his summer song was “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. “Not Like Us” is a rap song released earlier in 2024. During a feud between Grammy award-winning rapper Drake and Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us” was released as a diss track. The surprising turn ultimately ended the battle, making Kendrick, to many, the winner. It currently has 1 million listens. “The song is undeniably catchy and stands against an industry that perverts and strips entertainers of their art and culture, namely those in hip hop. It makes me proud to be from Southern California!” When talking about his experience with the song, Eddie said when he first heard it, he danced to it a minimum of 10 times in a row and took a “victory lap” around the mall, where he first heard it.
Royel Otis’ cover of “Linger” is what Talon Advisor Dr. Michele Weber said she bumped all summer. The original song by The Cranberries came out in 1993 and was a massive success, earning its spot at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 24 weeks. The cover was released in 2024 and has over 50 million streams on Spotify. “It has a very folk, pop, and rock feel to it, which I really like. The crooning style includes emotive words over a heavier guitar sound that makes it both dreamy and upbeat. Like a lazy summer day.” Dr. Weber said when claiming herself as a 90s girl through and through.
Visit here to listen to The Talons ultimate summer soundtrack on Spotify.
